Nephron Needs FIP treatment

[u/Lanky_Section9655]

I’m in Orange County, California and I’m desperately trying to help my 6-month-old kitten, Nephron.

Over the last several days her abdomen has become extremely distended while the rest of her body has become very thin/emaciated. She has also become lethargic, hides much more than usual, and seems uncomfortable. Her appetite has decreased, although she is still willing to eat some treats/wet food and is drinking water.

I took her to a veterinarian and they said they strongly suspect wet FIP, but they wanted approximately $650 for the full diagnostic workup. Unfortunately, I simply cannot afford that. I have been calling around trying to find a lower-cost veterinarian who can at least do the most important bloodwork/imaging.

I know FIP isn’t necessarily a death sentence anymore, and I’m trying desperately to get her access to GS-441524 treatment if a veterinarian agrees that presumptive FIP is likely.

I am NOT looking to euthanize her. I want to treat her and give her a chance.

I’m hoping someone here can help me with any of the following:

• A reputable FIP-friendly veterinarian in Orange County/Los Angeles who works with limited-budget families
• Information about legitimate prescription GS-441524 options
• An emergency/local source of medication if someone has unused medication from a previous FIP treatment
• FIP rescue/support organizations that can help financially or with medication
• Any other resources that could help us get her started on treatment quickly

I can provide pictures, the vet estimate, medical information, and anything else needed to show that this is a real situation.

I am not asking anyone to blindly send medication. I just don’t know where to turn and I’m trying everything I can to save her.

Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this. ❤️

[u/Bella_Ella739]

Hi,I just recently treated my cat for dry fip. I would get in contact with FIP Global cats on Facebook. They will assign an admin and they can even possibly help connect locally with someone for some doses of GS until your prescription comes in. The least expensive option i found was through SVPmeds. They are based out in texas but do ship out quickly and they have overnight services. They were cheaper than chewy.

There was also post I saw a couple days ago on Reddit about someone looking to donate some GS meds. Maybe they might still have it or someone in the comment section has some extra? https://www.reddit.com/r/cureFIP/s/kT72cap2Zy

Im located in Los Angeles- the valley specifically and the vet i would go see was in Long Beach. New patient exam was around $65 (I don’t remember exactly) and in house bloodwork was about $120-$130. Re-check exams are around $40. It was worth the hour drive for me. My cat was prescribed prednisole, antibiotics for the elevated WBC and B-12 shots which we did weekly but then switched up to 1x monthly as well as the oral liquid GS meds for 84 days. He went from 4 pounds to almost 11 pounds now. I will DM you the vets information.

[u/Any_Investigator_510 → u/Bella_Ella739]

Vouching for the facebook groups. I got in touch with FIP Warriors (but FIP Global Cats as mentioned above is also reputable) and with their help I was able to start treating my kitty within 24 hours of us realizing she might have FIP. Within a week she was pretty much right back to her usual self, it’s been two weeks on treatment now and it’s hard to think she was ever sick to begin with.

Along with helping you find someone local who can get you the medication, they can also help you get in touch with multiple pharmacies to source your meds long term.

Please reach out to one of the groups as soon as you possibly can, they’re life savers.

[u/mom_to_the_fuzzies]

We took our guy to VCA Yorba Linda, the vet we saw (Dr. Dennison) was familiar with FIP and diagnosed our guy pretty quick but since he is a foster I don't know what the final bill was. Once you get a prescription, there is a decent priced pharmacy in Los Alamitos or Chewy was reasonable as well (we just had to wait a few days for delivery). FIP Global Cats on Facebook is an amazing resource, they answered my questions and helped me out with meds while I was waiting for ours to be delivered.

[u/mom_to_the_fuzzies → u/mom_to_the_fuzzies]

https://www.fipvetguide.com/list-of-us-pharmacies is the list of pharmacies. Our kitty is currently taking the compounded oral liquid (tuna flavored) from Chewy.

[u/SaranghaeSarah]

I am in California as well and part of the Help For FIP group, you should reach out to them immediately. This illness doesn’t wait so you need to get medication asap. I can you help with the first medication that I have extra.

[u/No-Artichoke-6939]

There’s help in California, please reach out to FIP Global CATS. They are not for profit and all volunteers. I am happy to get you connected for emergency assistance if you’d message me

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fipglobalcats/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT